Dear Shareholders,
THE YEAR 2024-25 was a defining chapter in India's journey a year of
democratic vitality, sporting glory, and economic momentum that further solidified our
nation's standing on the global stage.
Over 639 million citizens exercised their franchise in the 18th
Lok Sabha Elections, spanning 543 constituencies over 47 days, a powerful reaffirmation of
India's democratic spirit. This was followed by high- stakes assembly elections in
Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Delhi, which kept the political
discourse energized throughout the year.
India's sporting triumphs brought moments of national pride. Our cricket
team won both the ICC T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy, while our athletes
secured six medals at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The year also witnessed the grandeur of the
Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, attracting millions and showcasing India's rich spiritual
and cultural fabric to the world.
The journey, however, was not without challenges from the tragic incident
at RG Kar Medical College that sparked national protests, to controversies around the NEET
examination, and the loss of two towering figures: Ratan Tata and Dr. Manmohan Singh.
On the global front, the economic outlook remained nuanced. The IMF
projected modest growth of 3.3 per cent through 2025-26. Against this backdrop, India
stood tall as the fastest-growing major economy, with the World Bank forecasting 6.3 per
cent growth for FY 2025-26. The IMF projected 6.5 per cent growth for 2025 and 2026.
Notably, FY 2023-24 posted a remarkable 9.2 per cent growth rate, the highest in over a
decade (excluding the post-COVID rebound). This momentum was driven by robust service
sector expansion and a strengthening manufacturing base.
Media & Entertainment Industry Highlights
India's Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector reached a landmark
moment in 2024, as digital media overtook television to become the largest segment. The
industry grew by 3.3 per cent, reaching approximately $30 billion, with digital media
contributing 32 per cent of total revenues marking a 17 per cent growth, emblematic of the
irreversible shift in Indian media consumption.
The advertising industry mirrored this upward trend, expanding by 8.1 per
cent to nearly $15 billion, closely tracking India's nominal GDP growth. Digital
advertising now accounts for 55 per cent of total ad spend, opening up significant
opportunities for data-driven, performance-oriented marketing. Connected TV emerged as a
breakout trend, reaching 50 million monthly active devices and 30 million weekly active
households a 30 per cent year-on-year rise that validates our early digital- first bets.
Traditional media continued to evolve, with television news viewership
rising 11 per cent, now making up 7 per cent of overall TV viewership. Regional news led
the way with a 64 per cent share, followed by Hindi (35 per cent) and English (1 per
cent), reaffirming the strategic importance of vernacular content.
The live events sector experienced a remarkable 15 per cent resurgence,
surpassing $1.2 billion for the first time powered by rising disposable incomes and an
increased appetite for in-person experiences. Our entry into this space through Stage Aaj
Tak was timely and impactful.
Our Digital & Brand Leadership
Anticipating this digital surge, Aaj Tak fortified its leadership as
India's most powerful integrated news and information ecosystem. In FY 2024-25:
• Aaj Tak as a brand on TV, reached 500 million viewers, with a
monthly average of 200 million
• 57.1 million average monthly unique visitors, which is highest
among the Hindi news websites
• 5.7 billion video views and 16.9 billion minutes watched far ahead
of all competitors on YouTube
• Maintained leadership as the world's most- followed news channel on
YouTube with 71 million subscribers and 8.1 billion views
• On Connected TV, recorded 8.8 billion total watch minutes on
YouTube
• Achieved a peak of 2.4 million concurrent viewers on YouTube Live
during Lok Sabha election counting day
• The most downloaded Hindi news app in India
Our social media dominance continued:
• #1 on Comscore Social Power Rankings with
1.07 billion total actions
• Video-first dominance with 20 billion+ video views in FY 2024-25
• 15 million Instagram followers, adding 3.7 million in one year
• 37 million Facebook followers and 1.7 billion video views
• 475 million video views on X (Twitter) the highest among Hindi news
platforms
• Leads globally on WhatsApp with 24 million followers, redefining
real-time news delivery
We also launched two AI popstars, Aishan and Ruh, and celebrated
Independence Day with an innovative Bhagat Singh AR filter #JaiHo, engaging 400,000+
users.
Stage Aaj Tak: Redefining Experiences
Our expansion into live events through Stage Aaj Tak launched successfully
with Yo Yo Honey Singh's “Millionaire India Tour”, spanning 10 major
cities, drawing over 200,000 attendees, and generating a digital impressions of over 5.5
billion. This affirms that audiences seek immersive, shared experiences alongside digital
content.
Awards & Recognition
FY 2024-25 was also a year of accolades:
• Ramnath Goenka Awards for excellence in journalism
• Best News Channel at the ITA Awards (Hindi - Aaj Tak; English -
India Today)
• Multiple wins at the IDMA Awards for WhatsApp and AI initiatives
• Dominance at the India Audio Awards in podcasts and audio
programming
The Road Ahead
As we look forward, the media ecosystem is poised for even greater
transformation. AI integration, immersive storytelling, and the continued rise of the
creator economy will reshape how audiences engage. Connected TV adoption will accelerate,
and live events will flourish as people seek authentic, in-person connections.
Our approach remains clear:
• Leverage our multi-platform leadership across digital, broadcast,
and emerging media
• I nvest in AI tools while preserving editorial integrity and human
judgment
• Drive enterprise-wide solutions that offer measurable value to
advertisers and partners
Financial Performance
Despite industry headwinds and evolving viewer behaviours, your Company
delivered satisfactory financial performance, supported by:
• Strong growth in digital revenue streams
• Enhanced operational efficiencies
• Focused investments in content innovation and platform
diversification
Gratitude & Commitment
I extend my deepest thanks to our Board of Directors for their strategic
counsel, and to our shareholders, whose trust empowers us to innovate boldly. Above all, I
salute the extraordinary commitment of our journalists, creators, technologists, and staff
the driving force behind TV Today Network's global reputation.
As we step into India Today Group's 50th year, we renew
our founding commitment: news that is fearless, fair, and factual. With India on a
transformative path, your Company is uniquely positioned to lead and serve with trust,
innovation, and purpose.
Warm Regards,
Aroon Purie